Coil transporting structure

ABSTRACT

A mobile structure for transporting coils of metal strip, wire, and the like, includes a generally U-shaped mobile frame having a forward end portion hingedly connected to a prime mover and transversely spaced side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and an elongated ram positioned between the transversely spaced side members of the frame and having one end mounted on a ram support operatively connected to the frame for movement of the ram between a retracted carrying position and extended loading and unloading positions.

United States Patent [1 1 Hardwick COIL TRANSPORTING STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Thomas Lee Richard Hardwick,

Route 3, Box 105, Olathe, Kans. 66061 [22] Filed: July 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 167,098

[52] U.S. Cl. 214/390, 214/130 C [51] Int. Cl. B66c 23/00 [58] Field of Search 214/D1G. l, DIG. 3,

214/D1G. 4, 672, 390, 130 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,216,697 10/1940 Vossenberg 214/672 3,101,153 8/1963 Verdery, Jr 214/390 X 1,868,562 7/1932 Chubb et a1. 214/DIG. 1

3,271,042 9/1966 Flodin 214/506 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,210,337 2/1966 Germany 214/390 [111 3,739,930 June 19, 1973 596,896 4/1960 Canada 214/390 Primary Examiner-Albert J. Mlakay Att0rney-Claude A. Fishburn, Orville 0. Gold and Malcolm A. Litman [57] ABSTRACT A mobile structure for transporting coils of metal strip, wire, and the like, includes a generally U-shaped mobile frame having a forward end portion hingedly connected to a prime mover and transversely spaced side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and an elongated ram positioned between the transversely spaced side members of the frame and having one end mounted on a ram support operatively connected to the frame for movement of the ram be tween a retracted carrying position and extended load ing and unloading positions.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures minim- 9W SNEEIZBF4 Thomas Lee Richard Hardwicif FATHER-M19975 mam}.

INVENTOR. Thomas Lee Richard HardwicK ATTQRNEYS PATENIEO 91975 SKITKBF4 INVENTOR, Thomas Lee Richard Hordwiclf coils of hot metal strip, wire, and the like, from a rolling or forming machine and to lift, transport, and store same; to provide such a transporting structure having a lifting, transporting, and storing capacity in the nature of eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) or greater; to provide such a transporting structure having a ram for receiving the hot coils and which is movable between an extended and lowered position and a retracted and raised position and which is tiltable in each of the extended and retracted positions to a position above and below a horizontal position; to provide such a transporting structure wherein the ram thereof is of high beam strength yet economical to manufacture; to

provide such a transporting structure having a mobile.

frame having portions protecting rubber tires thereon from the heat of the coils; to provide such a transporting structure wherein the mobile frame is highly maneuverable for loading and unloading of coils; and to provide such a transporting structurewhich is positive in operation, durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 7 I

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment illustrating various'objects and features of the coil transporting structure of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a planview of a coil transporting structure embodyingrfe'atures'of the present invention and showing a coil positioned thereon in broken lines. FIG. :2 is a side elevational view of the coil transporting structure and showing a 'ramin a lowered andextended position and connection of the coiltransporting structure to a prime mover.

FIGQB is an end elevational view of the coil transporting structure.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 3 and showing a lifting arm structure extending between a ram support and a mobile frame of the coil transporting structure.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a ram inan extended and lowered position and means for moving the ram and ram support.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ram and ram support in *a' retracted and'raised position.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ram in an extendedand lowered and tilted position with alternate tilted positions shown in broken lines.

FIG.'8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of theram. V

FIG. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the ramtaken on line 9-9, FIG. 8.

Referring more in detail to the drawings: As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms that are different from those illustrative embodiments presented herein. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims actually defining the scope of this invention. In this regard, his to be recognized thattransporting structures, in accordance herewith, maybe embodied in various forms and, furthermore, that such transports ing structures may be towed by any suitable prime mover and that the structure of the frame may be formed in any manner to provide a suitable rigid and sturdy construction. However, the disclosure hereof is presented only as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a transporting structure for transporting material in coils, on reels or drums and particularly coils of hot wire, strip, and the like, and includes a generally U-shaped mobile frame 2 having a forward end portion 3 suitably connected to a prime mover or tractor 4 and an elongated ram 5 positioned between-transversely spaced side members 6 and 7 of the mobile frame 2. One end 8 of the ram 5 is mounted on a ram support 9 operatively connected to the mobile frame 2 for movement of the ram 5 between a retracted position 10 and an extended position 1 1.

The illustrated mobile frame 2 including. the forward end portion 3 and the transversely spaced side mem bers 6 and 7 extending rearwardly therefrom may be formed of suitable structural elements, such as plates, angles, and the like, to form generally box-shaped members which are effective to support substantial loads, such as in the nature of 80,000 pounds (80,000 lbs.) or greater. The forward end portion 3 and the arms 6 and 7 each have top and bottom members 12 and 13 respectively and suitable laterally spaced side wall members 14and 15. The frame 2 is suitably supported on wheels and may have two or multiples thereof. In the illustrated structure, the side members 6 and 7 have wheels 16 and 17 respectively rotatably mounted thereon and adjacent an exterior side wall, thereof intermediate the ends thereof. It is preferable that the wheels 16 and 17 have suitable pneumatic tires 18 and 19 respectively mounted the the mobile frame 2 and the load thereon.

The coils or rolls of material are received from a'roll- Y tended position 11, and also from objects that may be adjacent a path of travel. 7

In the illustrated structure, the wheel guards or housings 20 and 21 each have a frame portion 24 formed of suitable structural members, such' as beams, angles, channels, and the like, whichcooperates with an exteeon for supporting rior surface and a rear end of the respective side members 6 and 7 to thereby enclose the tires 18 and 19. A suitable side plate 25 is secured to the side members 6 and 7 and the rearwardly extending portions 22 and 23 of the wheel guards or housings 20 and 21 and extends upwardly therefrom to provide a cover or guard for the upper portion of the tires 18 and 19. Top plates 26 extend outwardly from an upper edge of the side plates 25 to provide a cover for at least a portion of the tread portion of the tires 18 and 19.

The forward end portion 3 of the mobile frame 2 is suitably connected to the prime mover 4 and in the illustrated structure, said prime mover may be a two wheel tractor and the connection has parts operative to effect relative movement therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, upper and lower ears 27 and 28 extend forwardly from the forward end portion 3 of the mobile frame 2 and are preferably centered on a longitudinal central axis of the mobile frame 2. The ears 27 and 28 are suitably pivotally connected to upper and lower frame portions 29 and 30 respectively of the prime mover 4 whereby the mobile frame 2 is hingedly connected to the prime mover 4 and is highly maneuverable about the pivotal mounting of the frame portions 29 and 30 on the upper and lower ears 27 and 28.

A pair of transversely spaced ears 31 and 32 are mounted on the forward end portion 3 and centered on the longitudinal central axis of the mobile frame 2 for pivotally supporting one end of extensible power members 33 and 34 respectively which are operatively connected to the power system of the prime mover 4 and have the other ends thereof pivotally mounted on the prime mover 4. Operation of the extensible power members 33 and 34 by extending one and retracting the other is effective to move the mobile frame 2 about the pivotal mounting of the frame portions 29 and 30 on the ears 27 and 28 respectively.

The ram support 9 is positioned between the side members 6 and 7 of the mobile frame 2 and is adjacent the forward end portion 3 of the mobile frame 2 and has the one end 8 of the elongated ram supported thereon and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom. Movement effecting means extend between the mobile frame 2 and the ram support 9 for supporting the ram support 9 and for effecting movement thereof relative to the mobile frame 2 for moving the ram 5 between the retracted position and the extended position 11.

The illustrated ram support9 may be cast or fabricated of suitable structural members, such as plates, beams, angles, channels, and the like, to form a substantially rigid structure having a bore 35 adjacent a lower edge 36 thereof and laterally centered in the ram support 9 to receive the one end 8 of the ram 5. A lift arm 37 has one end thereof pivotally mounted on the ram support 9 adjacent the lower edge 36 thereof and in the illustrated structure, pivotal mounting means 38 and 39 on an axis that intersects the axis of the aperture 35 and is normal to the axis of the ram 5 for pivotally supporting portions 40 and 41 respectively of the lift arm 37. Bars 42 and 43 are on the ram support 9 and extend upwardly from an upper edge 44 thereof for pivotally mounting one end of power means in the form of extensible members 45 and 47 respectively for raising and lowering and retracting and extending the ram 5. An intermediate portion of the ram support 9 has pivotal mounting means 47 and 48 for pivotally supporting one end of ram tilting means in the form of extensible members 49 and 50.

The lift arm 37 and the extensible members 45 and 46 and 49 and 50 support the ram support 9 and the extensible members are arranged in spaced sets of pairs and have one end pivotally mounted on the ram support 9 and the other end pivotally mounted on the forward end portion 3 of the mobile frame 2, as later described, to effect movement of the ram support 9 and the ram 5 thereon between the retracted position 10 and the extended position 11 and to tilt the ram 5 above and below the horizontal, as later described.

The forward end portion 3 of the mobile frame 2 has a generally upright rearwardly facing surface having upper and lower edges 51 and 52 respectively and the ram support 9 is a generally upright member which is moved generally parallel with the rearwardly facing surface of the forward end portion 3. The lift arm 37 extends between the lower edge 52 of the forward end portion 3 and the lower edge 36 of the ram support 9 and has respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted adjacent the lower edges 52 and 36 of the forward end portions 3 and the ram support 9 respectively whereby the ram support 9 has the lower edge 36 thereof moved in a generally arcuate path relative to the lower edge 52 of the forward end portion 3 whereby lowering the ram support 9 and the ram 5 thereon extends the ram outwardly from the forward end portion 3 and raising the ram support 9 moves the ram support 9 and the ram 5 thereon toward the forward end portion 3 thereby retracting same.

The extensible members 45 and 46 are operative to raise and lower the ram support 9 and each have the one end thereof pivotally mounted on the ears 42 and 43 extending from the upper edge 44 of the ram support 9 and the other ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion 3 adjacent the lower edge 52 thereof whereby extension of the extensible members 45 and 46 raises the ram support 9 and retraction of the extensible members 45 and 46 lowers the ram support 9 and the ram 5 thereon.

The extensible members 49 and 50 are operative to tilt the ram 5 above and below the horizontal while the ram 5 is in the extended position 1 l or the retracted position 10 or any position therebetween, such as to load and unload the coils or material. The extensible members 49 and 50 each have the one ends thereof pivotally mounted on the ram support 9 intermediate the upper and lower edges 44 and 36 respectively thereof and the other ends are pivotally mounted on the rearwardly facing surface of the forward end portion 3 adjacent the upper edge 51 thereof. Extension of the extensible members 49 and 50 effects tilting of the ram 5 below the horizontal and retraction of the extensible members 49 and 50 effects tilting of the ram 5 above the horizontal.

Heretofore, ram members for supporting hot coils of wire, strip, and the like, were centrifugally cast steel which was extremely expensive to form. The ram 5 of the coil transporting structure 1 is substantially less expensive to form, such as in the nature of 10 to l5, percent of the cost of centrifugally cast steel. The ram 5 is formed of an elongated tubular member 53 having diammetrically opposed longitudinally extending coil support portions 54 and 55 suitably secured, as by welding, on an exterior surface of the tubular member 53. The coil support portions 54 and 55 extend along the exterior surface of the tubular member 53 to positions adjacent respective opposite ends thereof. In the illustrated structure, the support portions 54 and 55 are on the top and bottom of the tubular member 53 whereby the coil engages same and the interior of the coil is spaced from the portion of the tubular member between the s upport portions. This arrangement provides thick upper and lower wall portions with great of the tubular member 53 and has an exterior surface I having portions thereof alignablewith exterior surfaces of the tubular member 53 and the coil support portions 54 and 55.

In using a coil transporting structure, constructed as illustrated and described, the prime mover 4 positions the ram 5 of the coil transporting structure 1 in position to receive rolls, reels or coils of hot wire, strip, and the like. The extensible members 49 and 50 are operated to upwardly tilt the free end of the ram 5 above the horizontal to move the coils along the ram and toward the ram support 9. When the ram 5 has been loaded, the prime mover 4 is operative to maneuver the coil transporting structure 1 to a position for storing the coils until sufficiently cooled for further handling. It is preferred to operate the extensible power members 45 and 46 to raise the ram 5 and move the ram support 9 to a retracted position while transporting the coils. When it is desired to remove the coils from the ram 5, the extensible members 49 and 50 are operated to lower the free end of the ram 5 below the horizontal thereby effecting movement of the coils along the ram 5. Operation of the extensible power members 33 and 34 is operative to maneuver the mobile frame 2 both while the prime mover 4 is stationary and while the prime mover 4 is tilting the mobile frame 2 to thereby position the ram 5 in a desired position to receive or unload the coils.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to this specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A coil transporting structure comprising: a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rear wardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinally central axis of said mobile frame;

b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime moverfand permitting relative movement therebetweeml c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame;

d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and

e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, said last named means including f. linkage means extending between the forward end portion and said ram support and having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion and said ram support; and

g. extensible power means extending between the forward end portion of said mobile frame and said ram support and having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion and said ram support whereby extension of said extensible power means effects movement of said ram support toward the extended position and retraction of said extensible power means effects movement of said ram support toward the retracted position.

2. A coil transporting structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said forward end portion of said mobile frame has a generally upright portion having upper and lower edges;

b. said ram support is a generally upright member having upper and lower edges; and

c. said extensible power means comprises at least one extensible power member having one end thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion adjacent the lower edge thereof and the other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support adjacent the upper edge thereof whereby extension of said extensible power means raises said ram support and retraction of said extensible power means lowers said ram support.

3. A coil transporting structure comprising:'

a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinally central axis of said mobile frame;

b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween;

c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame;

d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and

e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position,

said means supporting said ram support including a plurality of extensible power members arranged in a plurality of spaced sets; and

g. each of said extensible power members of each of said sets having one end pivotally mounted on the forward end portion of said frame and an other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support.

4. A coil transporting structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said forward end portion of said mobile frame has a generally upright portion having upper and lower edges;

b. one set of said extensible power members has the one ends thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion adjacent the lower edge thereof;

0. a second set of said extensible power members has the one end thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion adjacent the upper edge thereof;

d. said ram support is a generally upright member having upper and lower edges;

c. said one set of said extensible power members has the other ends thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support adjacent the upper edge thereof; and

f. said second set of said extensible power members has the other ends thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support intermmediate the edges thereof.

5. A coil transporting structure comprising:

a. an elongated generally U-shaped frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the forward end portion and transversely spaced outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said frame;

b. a wheel rotatably mounted on an exterior side of each side member of said U-shaped frame and positioned intermediate the ends thereof;

0. means on the forward end portion and on the longitudinal central axis of said U-shaped frame for hingedly supporting said U-shaped frame on a prime mover;

d. a pair of transversely spaced extensible power members transversely spaced outwardly from the longitudinal central axis of said U-shaped frame and each extending between and having respective ends thereof pivotally mounted on the prime mover and the forward end portion of said U-shaped frame;

e. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said U-shaped frame;

f. a ram support positioned between said side members of said U-shaped frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom;

g. a linkage frame positioned between said side members of said frame and extending between said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and said ram support and positioned on the longitudinal central axis of said U-shaped frame, said linkage frame having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and extending between said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and said ram support; and t h. a plurality of extensible power members positioned between said side members of said U-shaped frame and extending between said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and said ram support and arranged in a plurality of spaced sets, each of said extensible power members of each of said sets having one end pivotally mounted on the forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and an other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support.

6. A coil transporting structure comprising:

a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said mobile frame;

b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween;

c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame;

(1. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and

e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position,

f. said elongated ram comprising an elongated tubular member having opposed ends and an exterior surface, one of the opposed ends being mounted on said ram support;

g. means mounted on the other end of said tubular member for closing same; and

h. thickened portions extending from the exterior surface of said tubular member in diametrically opposed relation and extending between said ram support and said means closing the other end of said tubular member for supporting an interior surface of a coil on said ram.

7. A coil transporting structure comprising:

a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said mobile frame;

b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween;

c. an elongated rarn positioned between said side members of said frame;

d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom;

e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position,

f. said forward end portion of said mobile frame having a generally upright portion having upper and lower edges;

g. said ram support being a generally upright member having upper and lower edges; h. said ram moving means having portions operative to move one edge of said ram support in a generally arcuate path relative to one edge of said forward end portion of said mobile frame,

i. said means for moving said ram between the retracted position and the extended position including a plurality of spaced arms each extending between said upright portion of said mobile frame and said ram support and each having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted adjacent the upper edge of said upright portion of said mobile frame and intermediate the edges of said ram support; and

k. a second plurality of spaced extensible power members arranged in a set with each having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted adjacent the lower edge of said upright portion of said upright portion of said mobile frame and adjacent the upper edges of said ram support.

8. A coil transporting structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

a. said plurality of spaced arms are connected by a web portion to form a frame.

9. A coil transporting structure comprising:

a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinal central axisof said mobile frame;

b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover permitting relative movement therebetween;

c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame;

d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and

. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for'supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, said means supporting said ram support including elongate means extending between the foward end portion and said ram support and having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion and said ram support;

f. said ram support being a generally upright member having upper and lower portions;

g. extensible power means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support and having at least one extensible power member with one end thereof pivotally mounted on the mobile frame adjacent a lower portion thereof and extending generally upwardly therefrom with the other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support adjacent the upper portion thereof whereby extension of said extensible power means raises said ram support and retraction of said extensible power means lowers said ram support.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CGRRECTION PATENT N0. 3,739,930 Page 1 of 4 DATED June 19, 1973 INVENTOR(S) Thomas Lee Richard Hardwick It is certified that error appears in the above-eidentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

I EN THE DRAWINGS: Sheet 2, Fig. 3, add a leader line to the rlghtmost reference numeral "25" whereby Fig. 3 appears as follows:

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT N0. 3,739,930 v Page 2 Of 4 J DATED June 19, 1973 |NVENT0R(5) 5 Thomas Lee Richard Hardwick It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

I. Sheet 2, Fig. 4, delete the uppermost reference numeral "9" and its leader line; and add the reference numerals "40" and "41" and their leader lines whereby Fig. 4 appears as follows:

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORREfiTION PATENT NO. 3,739,930 Page 3 of 4 DATED June 19 1973 INVENTOR(S) Thomas Lee Richard Hardwick It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

Sheet 3, Fig. 6, add a leader line to the reference numeral "35" whereby Fig. 6 appears as follows:

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. :3,739,930 Page 4 of 4 DATED 3 June 19, 1973 |NVENT0R(5) Thomas Lee Richard Hardwick it is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 56, after "and" insert line 57, before "pivotal" insert has line 58, delete "an axis that intersects the axis of the a erture"; line 59, delete "35 and is" and insert axes that are line 64, delete "47" and insert 46 line 67, after "47" delete "'and 48".

Signed and Scaled this Thirteenth Day of April 1982 [SEAL] A ttest:

GERALD J. MOSSINGHOFF Arresting ff fl Commissioner 0 f Patents and Trademarks 

1. A coil transporting structure comprising: a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinally central axis of said mobile frame; b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween; c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame; d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, said last named means including f. linkage means extending between the forward end portion and said ram support and having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion and said ram support; and g. extensible power means extending between the forward end portion of said mobile frame and said ram support and having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion and said ram support whereby extension of said extensible power means effects movement of said ram support toward the extended position and retraction of said extensible power means effects movement of said ram support toward the retracted position.
 2. A coil transporting structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said forward end portion of said mobile frame has a generally upright portion having upper and lower edges; b. said ram support is a generally upright member having upper and lower edges; and c. said extensible power means comprises at least one extensible power member having one end thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion adjacent the lower edge thereof and the other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support adjacent the upper edge thereof whereby extension of said extensible power means raises said ram support and retraction of said extensible power means lowers said ram support.
 3. A coil transporting structure comprising: a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinally central axis of said mobile frame; b. means adjacent the forward end portion Of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween; c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame; d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, f. said means supporting said ram support including a plurality of extensible power members arranged in a plurality of spaced sets; and g. each of said extensible power members of each of said sets having one end pivotally mounted on the forward end portion of said frame and an other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support.
 4. A coil transporting structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said forward end portion of said mobile frame has a generally upright portion having upper and lower edges; b. one set of said extensible power members has the one ends thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion adjacent the lower edge thereof; c. a second set of said extensible power members has the one end thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion adjacent the upper edge thereof; d. said ram support is a generally upright member having upper and lower edges; e. said one set of said extensible power members has the other ends thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support adjacent the upper edge thereof; and f. said second set of said extensible power members has the other ends thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support intermmediate the edges thereof.
 5. A coil transporting structure comprising: a. an elongated generally U-shaped frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the forward end portion and transversely spaced outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said frame; b. a wheel rotatably mounted on an exterior side of each side member of said U-shaped frame and positioned intermediate the ends thereof; c. means on the forward end portion and on the longitudinal central axis of said U-shaped frame for hingedly supporting said U-shaped frame on a prime mover; d. a pair of transversely spaced extensible power members transversely spaced outwardly from the longitudinal central axis of said U-shaped frame and each extending between and having respective ends thereof pivotally mounted on the prime mover and the forward end portion of said U-shaped frame; e. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said U-shaped frame; f. a ram support positioned between said side members of said U-shaped frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; g. a linkage frame positioned between said side members of said frame and extending between said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and said ram support and positioned on the longitudinal central axis of said U-shaped frame, said linkage frame having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and extending between said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and said ram support; and h. a plurality of extensible power members positioned between said side members of said U-shaped frame and extending between said forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and said ram support and arranged in a plurality of spaced sets, each of said extensible power members of each of said sets having one end pivotally mounted on the forward end portion of said U-shaped frame and an other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support.
 6. A coil transporting structUre comprising: a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said mobile frame; b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween; c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame; d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, f. said elongated ram comprising an elongated tubular member having opposed ends and an exterior surface, one of the opposed ends being mounted on said ram support; g. means mounted on the other end of said tubular member for closing same; and h. thickened portions extending from the exterior surface of said tubular member in diametrically opposed relation and extending between said ram support and said means closing the other end of said tubular member for supporting an interior surface of a coil on said ram.
 7. A coil transporting structure comprising: a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from the forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said mobile frame; b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover and permitting relative movement therebetween; c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame; d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, f. said forward end portion of said mobile frame having a generally upright portion having upper and lower edges; g. said ram support being a generally upright member having upper and lower edges; h. said ram moving means having portions operative to move one edge of said ram support in a generally arcuate path relative to one edge of said forward end portion of said mobile frame, i. said means for moving said ram between the retracted position and the extended position including a plurality of spaced arms each extending between said upright portion of said mobile frame and said ram support and each having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted adjacent the lower edges of said upright portion of said mobile frame and said ram support; j. a first plurality of spaced extensible power members arranged in a set with each having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted adjacent the upper edge of said upright portion of said mobile frame and intermediate the edges of said ram support; and k. a second plurality of spaced extensible power members arranged in a set with each having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted adjacent the lower edge of said upright portion of said upright portion of said mobile frame and adjacent the upper edges of said ram support.
 8. A coil transporting structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said plurality of spaced arms are connected by a web portion to form a frame.
 9. A coil transporting structure comprising: a. an elongated mobile frame having a forward end portion and a pair of side members extending rearwardly from tHe forward end portion and spaced transversely outwardly from a longitudinal central axis of said mobile frame; b. means adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame for connecting same to a prime mover permitting relative movement therebetween; c. an elongated ram positioned between said side members of said frame; d. a ram support positioned between said side members of said frame and adjacent the forward end portion of said mobile frame and having one end of said ram supported thereon and extending outwardly therefrom; and e. means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support for supporting same and for effecting movement of said ram relative to said frame to move said ram between a retracted position and an extended position, said means supporting said ram support including elongate means extending between the foward end portion and said ram support and having respective opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on the forward end portion and said ram support; f. said ram support being a generally upright member having upper and lower portions; g. extensible power means extending between the mobile frame and said ram support and having at least one extensible power member with one end thereof pivotally mounted on the mobile frame adjacent a lower portion thereof and extending generally upwardly therefrom with the other end thereof pivotally mounted on said ram support adjacent the upper portion thereof whereby extension of said extensible power means raises said ram support and retraction of said extensible power means lowers said ram support. 